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News! What you get for the Money
"What you get for the Money"- Taken from the very popular HGTV/ Fine Living channel show that compares homes in three American cities. Here we look at three Historic Brooklyn neighborhoods and show you how far your dollar goes in those communities at different price points. Click here or the tab above.
This Weekend's Open House Wrap  181 Midwood Street It began at 181 Midwood Street, a home that was reduced from an offer of $925k to $899k. It peaked my interest so it made the list. We got there early and the homeowners seemed to be rushed. After looking around for a bit, my wife noticed that the washing machine was on in the basement. Talk about grab and go. Well the home was not in great shape. It needed cosmetic upgrades. I suppose the mechanicals were in working condition. The backyard was practically all dirt. The kitchen needed to be renovated. It seemed like the family bought the home with intentions of making improvements but never got around to it. Tiles were missing in the bathroom, the bedrooms looked like they were never touched or painted. The basement was filled with Fresh Direct boxes and all sorts of junk that made it nearly impossible to navigate the floor. The basement needed finishing as well. What upset me was that they showed the house in a poor condition. It was evident they didn't even bother to paint or do any renovations for the asking price of $900k. Plus there is a big tree on the block that put a shade on this house like it was nighttime at 1pm. The picture above was definitely taken before Spring. No foliage to block the sun drenched photos of the home on Brown Harris Steven's Website. This home justifies the price paid for 258 Lincoln road. Buyers may be so use to seeing homes in this condition that they fall over themselves when a house is actually taken care of and brought back to its better days. Not hot. For me anyway. 
996 Saint John's Place was packed. It was written up on Brownstoner as one of five Open House Picks to check over the weekend. The picture above is a very large master bedroom on the second floor. The home showed beautifully. It was an old charmer that was clean and had original details. Nice size backyard, spacious rooms that went on forever it seemed, and mostly clutter free. The basement looked gutted. Just some plywood walls and open space. It's a two family so the traditional floorplan of a typical row house like this was different. There just seemed to be so many rooms. The first and second floors showed like two seperate apartments. It was just more space and rooms than I originally imagined. The Open House was well attended and I do expect an offer on this home over ask. Yes, it is right next door to House of Hills Funeral Home, which may freak some people out. But overall good home. 
The last home was actually an apartment at The Washington. Located at 35 Underhill Avenue and Pacific Street, this development is a modern interpretation of what Prospect Heights residences are to be. There is a lot of condos on Washington or just off the main avenue here. The apartment above is a beautifully done 3 bedroom with two outdoor terraces, boasting 1400 sf of space. I was taken back by the bedroom space. No tight rooms here. Spacious well done bedrooms that you and your children can grow into. The living space is tight, however. The kitchen, dining room, and living room share a combined space. A family that needs 3 beds also needs more common space, unless they sit in their bedrooms entertaining. The building has parking, a zen garden yet to be completed, and a gym. With so many condos hitting the area, I'll wait to see what the new development on Clinton between Atlantic and Fulton looks like. See you at the next Open House. HB
Lefferts Manor Home is Reaching with Asking Price  258 Lincoln Road is asking for $1.15m for a 2 story, 4 bedroom, totally renovated home. Are the details there? Yes. But can the comps. support the price? It is in landmarked Lefferts Manor, which should carry some premium. However, I was nearly in contract on its neighbor 256 Lincoln Road. Great house, good bones, but needed a lot of work. Kitchen, Bathrooms, and Basement all needed to be totally gutted and renovated. The house at the time was offered at $850k. Seemed reasonable. But other properties in Lefferts Manor started to lower their prices and a home on Maple around the corner, same 2 1/2 story but limestone, was reduced $100k to $849k. That property needed one bathroom to be renovated. Considering all the work 256 required, Maple was the better buy. It's amazing to see this home, of course it is in mint condition, but offered at $1.15m, wow. The listing Broker, Bettye Cunningham, seems to have really overshot a marketable price. There is a house on the same block, offered by the same agency, Brown Harris Stevens, that is a true 3 story selling at $1.095m. Another BHS broker has a property on Midwood, same landmarked district, selling for $899k. Someone is off here. And the details aren't that spectacular to command such a huge difference. Take a look at what else is offered: Or maybe I'm just wrong and bitter. HB Notable Crown Heights Property for Sale-1269 Carroll Street
 
1 Family Brick 4 beds, 2 baths, 2 car garage Offered at $985,000 Listed by Prudential Douglas Elliman I grew up in Crown Heights and went to school at St. Mark's Day School on President Street and Brooklyn Avenue. I've always thought that the homes on President and Carroll Streets were rich with architectural detail and grandeur. There is a large Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic community who's strong appetite for Real Estate and development of the neighborhood is evident. Properties like this weren't sold. They seemed to be transferred. It's almost shocking to see them for sale now. Well, not apart of the Historic Landmarked Crown Heights YET, the homes of Crown Heights South are nothing less than amazing. And this home at 1269 Carroll Street is a beauty. Listed at $985k by Prudential Douglas Elliman, this neo-federal brick boasts over 3000 square feet, a 2 car garage, 4 bedroom, 2 baths and rests between Brooklyn and New York Avenues. What more could you ask for? The area is very well patrolled and you are close to the #2,4, and 5 trains. Commuting time to Manhattan is under 30 mins. Did I mention the 2 car garage in the backyard? They say you can't go back, but the future for this Crown Heights gem is looking really bright. With prices soaring in the communities surrounding downtown, this property is definitely a steal and should be put on your list of possibles. HB
NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission-Update
Proposed Historic District: Fiske Terrace - Midwood Park, Brooklyn 
The Landmarks Preservation Commission is considering the Fiske Terrace- Midwood Park neighborhood in Brooklyn for designation as a New York City historic district. On September 19, 2006 the Commission calendared the proposed historic district for a public hearing to be held October 16, 2007. Click here to read more about this largely intact, early 20th century enclave. View the September 19th Presentation (PDF format)
View the Proposed Fiske Terrace - Midwood Park Historic District Map Read About the Proposed District
Frequently Asked Questions about the proposed district
Development Watch- Dekalb Avenue Property  
This multi-unit Brick/Brownstone is under major renovation. From the looks of things the inside is coming along nicely. I wonder if there will be 3 bedroom apartments for the families in the neighborhood. Connected to the building is a two car garage which would be welcomed over the street alternative. The brownstone exterior is being scratched so we might be nearing completion. I haven't yet seen a broker on this one but I'll keep my eyes open. HB Additional Photos:   
The much talked about court ordered sale of 306 Clinton Avenue will benefit the trust of Donna James, owner. This has been heavily debated on Brownstoner.com and I have more details and an album of pictures inside the home. I also have an engineer's report done by Heimer Engineering on the property that I'll discuss. Not a story to be missed.
New Development coming along nicely at 25 Gates Avenue   These are a few pictures taken this weekend at the new development on Vanderbilt and Gates Avenue. The building has 8 units (we noticed 8 bells on the newly installed intercom system) and is 5 stories tall. High ceilings on the ground level with an outdoor terrace for some apartments.   Nothing on any real estate site on whether the building is a rental or the units are for sale. Safe bet is it will be a condo with a maximum of 2 bedrooms available. Families in the neighborhood are interested in 3 bedrooms but the cost of new developments price those apartments north of $750k. 2 bedrooms are an easy sell. There is a driveway on the side of the building that hasn't been touched. Maybe a common garden area? Parking for a top bidder? Also, rumor has it that there will be some commercial space on the ground floor. The community is crying out for a coffee shop, deli, and green grocer. Time will tell and it looks like we won't be waiting long.
Buy the Condo, and we'll throw the jail in for free 
City officials are seeking interest from developers on building residential property that presses up against the Brooklyn House of Detention. In published reports, the plan calls for the expansion of the existing jail facility to 1520 beds, doubling its current capacity. To accomplish this they will add an adjoining structure on State Street, serving as its new entrance. 
Potentially two buildings, 10 to 15 stories tall, will abut the existing structure. There hasn't been a decision made as to whether apartments, hotel rooms, and/or offices will be best for the property. The officials at the Department of Corrections will review the input from developers over the next several weeks. Granted apartments have sold for well over $1 million in the area, with the closed jail in the neighborhood. But how will you feel sharing a wall with the incarcerated, when it re-opens to house more detainees? Sign of a bubble in Brooklyn? Dunno. Seems like developers could be reaching with this one.
Crown Heights Brooklyn to join the fold of Landmarked neighborhoods- NYTimes.com Thank you Brownstoner.com for keeping your ears to the ground. The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission is expected to designate 472 buildings in the Crown Heights north section of Brooklyn as landmarked. As part of a multi-phase rollout, the first phase will run along Dean Street between Bedford and Kingston Avenues. -The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Report After this designation, these homes will most certainly appreciate in value overnight. I grew up in Crown Heights and its always been rich with architectural detail. Much of the late 80's and early 90's saw difficult times as the neighborhood struggled with crime and neglect. But the area is making a huge comeback and the landmarking of the North section is a validation of that. Where I went to school, St. Mark's Day School on President Street, there are huge mansions. None of these are part of the first phase though. Maybe later phases will encompass the other side of Eastern Parkway.
Demolition can begin at Atlantic yards Site- NY1.com Judge rules demolition work can begin for the Atlantic Yards Project. -Click here for full story. 
"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy", foodie Ted Allen buys a brownstone in Clinton Hill Brooklyn. According to Big Time Listings and public records, Ted Allen and partner Barry Rice closed in late February on a 5 bedroom 3,600 square foot brownstone on 241 Washington Avenue, between Dekalb and Willoughby. The purchase price of $1.7 million reflected the reduction from the first asking price of nearly $2 million last summer. For more pictures of the home click here. Welcome to Historic Brooklyn Ted and Barry! 
New Condo development making waves along BK waterfront Years in planning, the 449 unit building along the BQE has recently opened its sales offices. Plans for the over 1 million square feet of residential space include townhouses, 1-4br apts, and penthouse suites. It is part of the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is projected to be completed in 2012. The park will feature 40 acres of recreational space, including nine acres of sports fields and playgrounds and 12 acres of water for kayaking and canoeing. For more on the development go to onebrooklyn.com . Discover the entire length and breadth of your borough, just by taking a walk- courierlife The Brooklyn Center For The Urban Environment (BCUE) returns this month with more walks and tours, affording adventures throughout the width and breadth of Brooklyn and beyond for individuals of every age. Group touts new ‘landmarks wish list’ - 18 historic homes part of Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance effort- Park Slope Courier In an effort to preserve Brooklyn’s heritage, one preservation organization is seeking landmark status for structures around the borough.
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| Special Properties 
4 Story, 1 family townhouse on Clermont between Lafayette and Dekalb. I haven't seen a listing on this block for a while. Street is often used for film and tv shoots. Original pier mirrors and glass pocket doors makes it easy to see this won't be around for long. Needs some TLC to make it you're own. 
Offered at $1.7 million. Full listing here. Brown Harris Stevens
Prudential Douglas Elliman snagged this listing. Very sought after Vanderbilt Avenue between Dekalb and Lafayette has a brownstone and a price that reflects the level of original details and clean move in condition that the home offers. Listed at $2 million- Douglass Elliman
Clermont Shell 
This is a shell I have seen change hands a few times over the years. It was previously for sale 2 years ago and pulled off the market. Not a bad block. Located on Clermont close to Lafayette. Asking $975k but needs everything. Check the link to see the inside. Deep pockets a must. Does this property seem like a bargain to you? Email me and I'll post your comment. Offered by Townsley and Gay- $975k
| |  Clinton @Gates A most exquisite home for sale. 6,000 square feet of extraordinary woodwork and craftsmanship. 12 Family home, 21 rooms. Needs TLC to shape into the fine gem that it is. They say a dollar and a dream. I'm still dreamin'. Did I mention the 2 car garage? 
Offered at $2.5 million. Full listing here. Corcoran 
Most Visited neighborhood sites:
Realtors: These are a few real estate agencies that have significant listings in the area.
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